JB’s alleged killers discharged, rearrested
The two men standing trial in connection with the murder of a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, Mr J.B. Danquah-Adu, were discharged by the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court yesterday.
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The two — Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bosso — were discharged by the court after the Attorney-General (A-G) had filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue with the prosecution.
However, the two men are not free yet, as they were rearrested by heavily armed policemen immediately after the court sitting.
Further investigations
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Ms Gloria Akuffo, told the Daily Graphic that her outfit decided to no longer prosecute the two accused persons because after reviewing the case docket, it realised that there was the need for further investigations.
According to her, the investigations could not go on while the trial was still underway.
Nolle prosequi
There were many indications that there was going to be a drastic turnaround in the trial at yesterday’s hearing.
As early as 8:30 a.m., the Law Court Complex premises were swarmed by heavily armed policemen, most of them stationed in front of Criminal Court Five, where the trial takes place.
Also, there were many men in black suits (apparently undercover policemen) in the courtroom.
Yesterday’s hearing was expected to have seen the empaneling of a jury for the trial, but the prosecutor, Senior State Attorney Ms Sefakor Batsa, informed the court about the A-G’s decision to discontinue with the prosecution.
“Pursuant to Section 54 of the Criminal and other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 30), the Attorney-General has entered a nolle prosequi in respect to this matter,’’ she said.
The nolle prosequi, she said, was filed at the court on May 29, 2017.
Counsel for Asiedu and Bosso, Mr Muniru Kasim, did not oppose the move by the A-G, saying that “the A-G has that prerogative’’.
In view of the A-G’s action, the court presided over by Mr Justice Lawrence L. Mensah, discharged the two men.
“The A-G has filed a nolle prosequi and since it legally terminates the prosecution, the accused persons are discharged,’’ the presiding judge said.
Below are some significant events in relation to the case:
*February 8, 2016: Mr Danquah-Adu was murdered in cold blood at his residence at Shiahie a suburb of Accra.
*February 11, 2016: Daniel Asiedu, aka Sexy Don Don, was arrested by the police at his hideout at Agbogloshie in connection with the murder of the legislator. The police claimed Asiedu had confessed to killing the MP.
*February 16, 2016: Asiedu made his first appearance before the Accra Central District Court, presided over by Mr Stephen Owusu. He confessed to killing the MP and explained that he had gone to steal and did not intend to kill the MP.
*March 1, 2016: The lawyer for Asiedu, Mr Augustine Obour, prayed the District Court to order a psychiatric examination on his client, arguing that an interaction that he had with Asiedu showed that Asiedu was not mentally sound.
*May 10, 2016: Vincent Bosso, aka Junior Agogo, appeared before the District Court accused of being Asiedu’s accomplice.
*May 17, 2016: Asiedu and Bosso appeared together at the District Court for the first time. Asiedu was charged with murder, while Bosso was charged with abetment of crime.
*March 15, 2017: Asiedu and Bosso committed to stand trial at the Accra High Court by the District Court. Asiedu changed his story, claiming that he did not kill the MP but that he was framed up for a crime he did not commit. He was charged with three counts of murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. Bosso was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
*April 18, 2017: The trial of Asiedu and Bosso started at the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court.
*May 30, 2017: Accra High Court discharges Asiedu and Bosso after the A-G filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue with the prosecution.